Socket connector for carrying integrated circuit package

Abstract

A socket connector includes a metallic stiffener ( 12 ), an insulative housing ( 11 ), a load plate ( 14 ), a load lever ( 15 ) and a plurality of plastic supporting posts ( 16 ). The stiffener defines a central opening ( 120 ) in a middle portion thereof, the opening being surrounded by two pairs of inner surfaces ( 1201 ). The housing defines a recessed conductive zone ( 110 ) surrounded by sidewalls ( 111 ). The housing partially received in the opening of stiffener, and sidewalls interferentially engage with the inner surfaces in a direction parallel to the opening. The plastic supporting posts engage with the stiffener and are partially below the stiffener.

1. A socket connector, for carrying an integrated circuit package, comprising:
 an insulative housing defining a recessed zone surrounded by two pairs of sidewalls; 
 a plurality of conductive terminals received in the recessed zone; 
 a metallic stiffener defining an opening surrounded by two pairs of inner surfaces, the opening surrounding the housing; 
 a load plate pivotally assembled to a first end of the stiffener; 
 a load lever pivotally assembled to a second end of stiffener, the second end being opposed to the first end; wherein 
 a plurality of plastic supporting posts is attached to the stiffener, and at least part of each plastic supporting post is below a most bottom surface of the stiffener; wherein 
 the connector further comprises a plurality of screws assembled to the stiffener, wherein 
 each of the supporting posts defines a through channel and the screws are partially received the through channels. 
 
   
   
     2. The socket connector as described in  claim 1 , wherein the sidewalls interferentially engage with the inner surfaces of the opening in the stiffener while allowing vertical movement therebetween under proper exterior forces. 
   
   
     3. The socket connector as described in  claim 1 , wherein the stiffener defines a plurality of recesses at a bottom surface thereof, and the supporting posts are partially fixed in the recesses. 
   
   
     4. The socket connector as described in  claim 1 , the supporting posts are attached to a bottom surface of the stiffener and are completely below the bottom surface. 
   
   
     5. The socket connector as described in  claim 1 , wherein the stiffener defines a plurality of engaging holes interferentially engaging with the supporting posts. 
   
   
     6. The socket connector as described in  claim 5 , wherein each of the supporting posts comprises an upper post and a lower post, the upper post being interferentially engaged with the engaging hole. 
   
   
     7. The socket connector as described in  claim 6 , wherein the lower post is wider than the upper post, and the lower post is below the most bottom surface of the stiffener. 
   
   
     8. A socket connector, for connecting an integrated circuit package to a printed circuit board, comprises:
 an insulative housing defining a recessed zone surrounded by sidewalls; 
 a plurality of conductive terminals received in the recessed zone; 
 a metallic stiffener defining an opening surrounded by inner surfaces thereof; 
 a load plate pivotally assembled to a first end of the stiffener; 
 a load lever pivotally assembled to a second end of stiffener, the second end being opposed to the first end; wherein 
 a plurality of plastic supporting posts is attached to the stiffener, and at least part of each plastic supporting post extends downwardly below the stiffener so as to be located between the printed circuit board and the stiffener, thus supporting the stiffener and preventing the stiffener from contacting the printed circuit board, further comprising a plurality of screws assembled to the stiffener; wherein each of the supporting posts defines a through channel and the screws are partially received the through channels. 
 
   
   
     9. The socket connector as described in  claim 8 , wherein the housing is received within the opening, and the sidewalls interferentially engage with the inner surfaces of the stiffener. 
   
   
     10. The socket connector as described in  claim 8 , wherein the stiffener defines a plurality of recesses at a bottom surface thereof, and the supporting posts are partially fixed in the recesses. 
   
   
     11. The socket connector as described in  claim 8 , the supporting posts are attached to a bottom surface of the stiffener and are wholly below the bottom surface. 
   
   
     12. The socket connector as described in  claim 8 , wherein the stiffener defines a plurality of engaging holes interferentially engaging with the supporting posts. 
   
   
     13. The socket connector as described in  claim 12 , wherein each of the supporting posts comprises an upper post and a lower post, the upper post being interferentially engaged with the engaging hole. 
   
   
     14. The socket connector as described in  claim 13 , wherein the lower post is wider than the upper post, and the lower post is located between the stiffener and the printed circuit board. 
   
   
     15. An socket connector assembly comprising:
 a printed circuit board; 
 a socket connector seated upon the printed circuit board and including: 
 an insulative housing; 
 a plurality of conductive terminals received in the housing, each of the terminals defining an upper contact portion for engagement with an electronic component, and a lower tail soldered with the printed circuit board; 
 a metallic stiffener assembled with the housing; wherein 
 a plurality of plastic supporting posts are engagably sandwiched between the printed circuit board and the stiffener so as to support the stiffener and prevent the stiffener from contacting the printed circuit board; wherein 
 the plastic supporting posts are immovably fastened to the stiffener while the housing is vertically moveable relative to the stiffener before being mounted to the printed circuit board. 
 
   
   
     16. The socket connector assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said stiffener is fastened to the printed circuit board by means other than securement between the terminals and the printed circuit board.